Exhaust Manifold Removal, Is It Supposed To Be This Difficult?

[skeggyrik 3]

Has anyone managed to get a re-angled (if that makes any odds) exhaust manifold off an 1.9 Mi while it's in the car??

I think I need triple jointed fingers and very funny shaped spanner/socket arrangement. I've got all the bottom nuts off but I'm stuck on about 3 or 4 across the top. Just need to know if I'm being a muppet?

 

It's coming off as it's cracked.

 

Second question is, if I go for a re-angle plate and a standard manifold will I have a chance of doing while the lump is in the car?

 

If you were in my position with the following work to do, do you think it would be best to hire a crane and pull it to sort all the bits I want to do?

 

Situation: The old hoses are all off, the driveshafts are off, the subframe is off and there's only the top mount, gearbox mount, electrics and fuel lines holding it in there.

 

Jobs to do: Cambelt, tensioners and water pump. Fit Xu10 sump, pump and extended pick up, get the dammed exhaust manifold off.

 

Is it worth the added work to remove it (and the expense of hiring a crane) to make the other jobs easier? I could also think about doing the engine mounts and the shells while the sump is off and engine out of the car.

 

Thoughts?

[James_m 0]

Could try taking it off the rear mount, allowing the engine to swing forward?

Im intrested to hear if you manage this, as i have to have mine off over the next few weeks

[pugman211 0]

I took off my original manifold off in the car, and fitted a re-angled manifold in its place, all in the car! It can be done, its just very awkward!!! I just used a 13mm S spanner i think they're called. Basically, not a straight one. The bolts i found the hardest was the ones on the top in between pots 2 and 3!!!

[Turbo7379 3]

Jobs to do: Cambelt, tensioners and water pump. Fit Xu10 sump, pump and extended pick up, get the dammed exhaust manifold off

 

With those jobs in mind I would definately drop the engine out , especially since you've already done most of the work . You shouldn't need to hire a crane . Since you have the subframe out you could drop the engine out under the car using a couple of jacks , set it on the ground on a board , jack the car up & either roll the car back on the jacks or slide the engine out . I've did it this way before but I'll admit it's a lot easier now with an engine hoist .

 

Hoists aren't that dear to buy now & they do make the job a lot easier . Quite a few 2/h on ebay -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HYDRAULIC-ENGINE-HOI...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

An alternative is to buy a ratchet winch like this .

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-Puller-Ratchet-...VQQcmdZViewItem

 

Or preferably a chain pulley like this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-Ton-Chain-Engine-H...VQQcmdZViewItem

 

You'll need a garage with a stout beam in the roof to hang them from but they do work quite well . For years this was all I had to lift engines in & out . Only drawback is that you have to roll the car back once you've the engine lifted out .

[jackherer 543]

I took off my original manifold off in the car, and fitted a re-angled manifold in its place, all in the car! It can be done, its just very awkward!!! I just used a 13mm S spanner i think they're called. Basically, not a straight one. The bolts i found the hardest was the ones on the top in between pots 2 and 3!!!

 

They are not easy but the more you do the easier they get. The angling plates QEP sells come with allen key bolts and if you use quality allen keys with ball shaped ends they are much easier to do up/undo.